Former West Ham defender James Collins has agreed a five-week contract with Aston Villa.
According to Daily Mail journalist Laurie Whitwell, Collins is set to sign the deal next week and feature for Villa over the Christmas period.
Twitter: James Collins has agreed 5-week #avfc contract. Expect it to be signed next week so he’s available for #wba game an… https://t.co/u6FMJ5LQsJ (@lauriewhitwell)
Villa have been in the market for a new central defender since John Terry left at the end of last season, and have struggled this term with options at the back.
The club have conceded 30 Championship goals this season, which is the most out of any club in the top 15.
By contrast, Leeds and Norwich have only conceded seven more goals between this season whilst sitting in the automatic promotion places – where Villa want to be.
Collins has been without a club since he left West Ham in the summer but now looks set to put pen to paper on a deal with Villa and help out between now and January.
